Homopiperazine-based catalysts for neutralization of organophosphorus-based compounds

ABSTRACT

Novel compositions of matter based on homopiperazine precursor materials and forming a homopiperazine-based ligand are disclosed, along with suitable techniques and materials for the synthesis and utilization thereof. In particular various synthetic schemes and techniques for applying the disclosed compositions of matter as a decontaminating agent. The decontaminating agents include homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complexes that are particularly effective at neutralizing toxicity of nerve agents, pesticides, and other toxic organophosphorus-based compounds. In preferred approaches, the homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complexes act as catalysts to facilitate substitution of a leaving group of the organophosphorus-based compound with a functional group that does not permit the organophosphorus-based compound to inactivate acetylcholinesterase upon introduction of the organophosphorus-based compound to a living organism such as insects and mammals. Advantageously, the catalytic homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complexes are formed using inexpensive, readily-available precursor materials, and may be utilized to neutralize toxins without relying on damaging caustic reactants or environmentally unfriendly organic solvents.

The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant toContract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344 between the United States Department ofEnergy and Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the operationof Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to homopiperazine-based catalysts, andmore particularly, this invention relates to design and use ofhomopiperazine-based compounds for catalytic destruction oforganophosphorus-based compounds such as pesticides and nerve agents.

BACKGROUND

The use of organophosphorus-based compounds as pesticides, solvents, andplasticizers is well-known and effective in the intended capacity.However, persistence of these compounds in the environment leads toadverse collateral impact, and several known organophosphorus-basedcompounds are acutely toxic nerve agents to insects and humans. Theadverse effects are compounded by the fact that theseorganophosphorus-based compounds are highly toxic even at low doses,capable of being absorbed through skin, and very fast-acting.

In particular, toxicity of organophosphorus-based compounds arises froma structural motif characterized by an electrophilic phosphorous oxidecenter in which the phosphorous atom is bonded to one or more, typicallythree, substituents, one of which is capable of acting as a leavinggroup.

Exemplary toxic organophosphorus-based compounds shown in FIGS. 1A-1Einclude paraoxon (diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate), V-series agents suchas VX (O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate), VR(N,N-diethyl-2-(methyl-(2methylpropoxy)phosphoryl)sulfanylethanamine),G-series agents such as sarin gas ((RS)-propan-2-ylmethylphosphonofluoridate), and cyclosarin (cyclohexylmethylphosphonotluoridate).

In vivo, the leaving group of the organophosphorus-based compounddeparts and the compound irreversibly inactivates theacetylcholinesterase enzyme, disrupting the nervous system's ability tomodulate muscular contractions. Disruption of smooth muscle tissue inthe respiratory system leads to rapid death upon exposure to these toxicorganophosphorus-based compounds, even at very low dosages.

Several existing techniques for inactivating or otherwise neutralizingorganophosphorus-based compounds have been proposed, but generally relyon using excessive amounts of highly caustic agents such as bleach,sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide (e.g. pH≥12), which tends todamage or destroy the material to which the neutralizing agent isapplied. Existing catalytic approaches rely on excessive amounts oforganic solvents such as alcohols to accomplish neutralization, as wellas rare and/or expensive catalysts including iridium, platinum, and/orpalladium. Conventional catalytic approaches have also been troubled bya tendency for the catalyzed products to subsequently react with thecatalyst, inhibiting or destroying catalytic capabilities. Particularlywhen using such expensive metals as catalysts, this inhibition furtherreduces efficiency of the overall neutralization process and exacerbatesthe expense of accomplishing effective neutralization. As such, theconventional techniques are expensive, and cause extensive collateraldamage to the treated materials and/or the environment (e.g. where theorganophosphorus-based compounds are employed as pesticides).

Accordingly, it would be of significant environmental and economicbenefit to provide novel, freely available, and inexpensive materials,synthetic techniques, and deployment methods for the destruction oforganophosphorus-based compounds.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method includes neutralizing toxicity of one ormore organophosphorus-based compounds by reacting theorganophosphorus-based compound(s) with a homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken inconjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should bemade to the following detailed description read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-1E depict simplified schematics of exemplaryorganophosphorus-based compounds suitable for degradation catalyzed bythe presently disclosed inventive homopiperazine-based compounds,according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2D depict simplified schematics of several known zinc-basedcatalysts that do not employ homopiperazine-based compounds.

FIG. 3A depicts an exemplary reaction scheme by which the presentlydisclosed inventive homopiperazine-based compounds may catalyzeorganophosphorus-based compounds and effectively neutralize the toxicitythereof, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B depicts an exemplary reaction scheme by which the presentlydisclosed inventive homopiperazine-based compounds may catalyzeorganophosphorus-based compounds and effectively neutralize the toxicitythereof by substituting a leaving group of the organophosphorus-basedcompound with a hydroxyl moiety, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4A depicts a simplified schematic of a central chelating site ofthe presently disclosed inventive homopiperazine-based compounds bysubstituting a leaving group of the organophosphorus-based compound witha hydroxyl moiety, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4B-4E depict simplified schematics of exemplaryhomopiperazine-based compounds, according to one embodiment of thepresently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of homopiperazine-based precursor materialssuitable for use in synthesizing homopiperazine-based ligands andcatalysts, according to one embodiment of the presently disclosedinventive concepts.

FIG. 6A depicts a simplified reaction scheme for functionalizing asubstrate with the presently disclosed homopiperazine-based catalysts,according to one embodiment of the presently disclosed inventiveconcepts.

FIG. 6B depicts a simplified reaction scheme for functionalizingparticles with the presently disclosed homopiperazine-based catalysts,according to another embodiment of the presently disclosed inventiveconcepts.

FIG. 7 depicts a simplified reaction scheme for synthesizingbis-triazolyl homopiperazine ligands, according to one embodiment of thepresently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 8 depicts a simplified reaction scheme for synthesizingbis-triazolyl homopiperazine ligands, according to another embodiment ofthe presently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 9 depicts a simplified reaction scheme for synthesizingbis-triazolyl homopiperazine ligands, according to yet anotherembodiment of the presently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 10 depicts a simplified reaction scheme for synthesizingbis-triazolyl homopiperazine ligands, according to still yet anotherembodiment of the presently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 11 depicts a simplified reaction scheme for complexingbis-triazolyl homopiperazine ligands with a metal to formhomopiperazine-based catalysts, according to one embodiment of thepresently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 12A depicts alternative intermediate chemical structures suitablefor homopiperazine-based ligand synthesis, according to one embodimentof the presently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 12B depicts alternative intermediate chemical structures suitablefor homopiperazine-based ligand synthesis, according to one embodimentof the presently disclosed inventive concepts.

FIG. 13 depicts a flowchart of a method for forming homopiperazine-basedligands, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 depicts a flowchart of a method for neutralizing toxicity oforganophosphorus-based compounds using homopiperazine-based catalysts,according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the present invention and is not meant to limitthe inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular featuresdescribed herein can be used in combination with other describedfeatures in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.

Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be giventheir broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied fromthe specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in theart and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless otherwise specified.

The presently disclosed inventive concepts are directed tohomopiperazine-based catalysts suitable for use in neutralizing thetoxicity of organophosphorus-based compounds, as well as the synthesisand utilization thereof.

Advantageously, the presently disclosed materials, methods of synthesis,and implementations of homopiperazine-based catalysts relies on cheap,highly-available materials (both regarding the catalytic metal cationsand the organic ligands) as well as simple, high-yield synthetictechniques. This approach confers significant economic advantage to theprocess of neutralizing toxicity of organophosphorus-based compoundscompared to conventional approaches.

In addition, the presently disclosed homopiperazine-based catalysts andimplementations thereof accomplish neutralization of toxicorganophosphorus-based compounds without relying on caustic agents suchas bleach, high-pH materials such as sodium or potassium hydroxidesolutions; or organic solvents such as alcohols. Rather, the presentlydisclosed homopiperazine-based catalysts may carry out neutralizationusing only water as an intermediary, e.g. to provide a hydroxyl moietyto substitute for a leaving group of the organophosphorus-basedcompound, and optionally to carry away cleaved leaving group moietiesand/or neutralized organophosphorus-based compounds from a substratebeing treated. Accordingly, the presently disclosed inventive conceptsare characterized by facile deployment using only environmentallyfriendly materials such as water to facilitate neutralization.

Thus, in one general embodiment, a composition of matter includes ahomopiperazine-based ligand.

In another general embodiment, a method includes reacting ahomopiperazine-based compound with one or more of an azide and aterminal alkyne in the presence of Cu(I) to form a library ofhomopiperazine-based ligands.

In yet another general embodiment, a method includes neutralizingtoxicity of one or more organophosphorus-based compounds by reacting theorganophosphorus-based compound(s) with a homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex.

Homopiperazine-based compounds, as disclosed herein and examples ofwhich include homopiperazine-based compounds 502-520 as depicted in FIG.5, are suitable for use in generating libraries of organic ligandscapable of chelating a metal cation. In particular, multiple nitrogenatoms of homopiperazine-based compounds have been discovered to stronglybind metal cations, allowing subsequent formation of a complex betweenthe chelated metal cation and a water molecule. Advantageously, thesehomopiperazine-based compounds chelate the metal cation with sufficientstrength to prevent subsequent inhibition of the catalytic activity,e.g. due to reaction or complexation with products of the catalysis.Moreover, the homopiperazine-based ligands disclosed herein arepreferably characterized by a high degree of structural integrity andrigidity, such that the compounds may retain their structure even whensubjected to temperatures sufficient to boil water (100 C).

Similar activity has been demonstrated for cyclic [12-14]ane-N[3-4]compounds, such as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. For these compounds, uponcomplexation to the metal cation, the water molecule becomessignificantly more acidic than when unbound, e.g. undergoing a change inpK_(a) from about 15.7 to a pK_(a) in a range from about 6.0-10.0. Thisincreased acidity of the bound water molecule catalyzes variousreactions with other molecules. However, the synthesis of these cycliccatalysts is cumbersome, inefficient, and costly in comparison to thesynthesis of the inventive homopiperazine-based compounds disclosedherein.

In addition, the homopiperazine-based compounds disclosed herein areexpected to provide superior catalytic activity for the neutralizationof toxicity in organophosphorus-based compounds, at least in part due tothe open nature of the structure, which facilitates binding of the metalcation and subsequent catalysis of substitution reactions withorganophosphorus-based compounds.

In the case of homopiperazine-based compounds as disclosed herein, theincreased acidity facilitates catalysis of organophosphorus-basedcompounds. In particular, reacting the presently disclosedhomopiperazine-based catalysts with an organophosphorus-based compoundeffectively neutralizes the toxicity of the organophosphorus-basedcompound by substituting a hydroxyl moiety for the leaving group of theorganophosphorus-based compound. Thus, in preferred approaches thepresently disclosed inventive homopiperazine-based catalysts, whenconjugated with a water molecule, preferably exhibit a pKa with respectto the water molecule in a range from about 6.0 to about 10.0, morepreferably from about 6.5 to about 8.1. As utilized herein, the term“about” should be understood to encompass ±10% of the stated value(s).

Exemplary mechanisms for this reaction scheme are depicted in FIGS.3A-B, according to alternative embodiments. There are two proposedpathways for the function of the presently disclosedhomopiperazine-based compounds. Scheme 300 involves a bimolecularreaction with the direct transfer of the hydroxide ion to the P-centerwith concomitant expulsion of the organophosphorus-based compound's bestleaving group. Thus, in the case of paraoxon (FIG. 1A), the leavinggroup is expected to be the nitrophenolate ion (pKa of conjugateacid=7.1), while for the G-series (FIGS. 1D-1E) and the V-series (FIGS.1B-1C) agents it is expected to be the fluoride ion (pKa of conjugateacid=3.2) and the thiolate anion (pKa of conjugate acid=8.6)respectively.

Reaction scheme 350, shown in FIG. 3B, involves another bimolecularreaction but with a previous, ordered coordination of the metal centerwith the oxygen atom of the P=O region of the organophosphorus basedcompound. As in the first proposed mechanism, once the coordination hasoccurred, the hydroxide ion is transferred from the complex to the agentwith concomitant departure of the leaving group. Even though it isexpected that in all these proposed mechanisms, it should be the bestleaving group departing every time the catalyst encounters the agent(i.e. the arm with the lowest pKa value), this is not always the case.

For instance, other groups in the organophosphorus-based compounds mayleave as well, as in the case of paraoxon, where products were formedfrom the departure of both the nitrophenolate ion and the unexpectedethoxide ion. This observation, of course, points towards the fact thatthere could be an intermediate at play during these reactions, and sincethe phosphorus-center can accommodate extra substituents to formtrigonal bipyramidal structures, then it is postulated thatanti-orientation of the entering hydroxide ion and the leaving groupplays a small role indeed.

Thus, the following invention describes a novel series ofnitrogen-containing ligands, optionally joined by a fully saturated1,4-diazepine nucleus, that are capable of coordinating different metalions. The inventive compounds are preferably characterized by astructure substantially as shown in FIG. 4A, with four nitrogen atomsavailable to participate in conjugating the metal cation in the centralregion therebetween. The R groups of the structure shown in FIG. 4A maybe —CH₂C—, —CH₂N—; —CH₂CH₂C—; or —CH₂CH₂N—, in various embodiments. Ofcourse, other equivalent R groups that would be appreciated by a skilledartisan upon reading the present descriptions should be consideredwithin the scope of these inventive concepts.

The structures of particularly preferred embodiments ofhomopiperazine-based ligands as disclosed herein are shown in FIGS.4B-4E, again according to various illustrative embodiments. The R groupsdepicted may be selected based on the manner in which thehomopiperazine-based ligand is to be employed, e.g. to confer additionaladvantageous functionality such as an electron donating group tofacilitate binding of the metal cation, electron withdrawing groups tomodulate the length of the Zn—OH₂ bond (by shortening or lengthening it)and thus directly affect the pKa of the attached water molecule that mayresult in an increase nucleophilicity and thus, activity of the complex,according to preferred embodiments, a solubilizing ligand such aspolyethylene glycol to tune solubility of the homopiperazine-basedcompound to be compatible with a suitable solvent, buffer composition,etc. as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the artupon reading the present descriptions.

For instance, in various embodiments a suitable solvent is preferablywater, but may also include organic phase solvents, peroxides, salts,etc. as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the artupon reading the present descriptions. In addition, the solventpreferably has a pH in a range from about 7.0 to about 7.4 to facilitatesubstitution mediated by the homopiperazine-based catalysts. Inaddition, the active catalyst is preferably loaded in the buffer,solvent, etc. in a particular molar ratio with respect to the amount ofagent to be neutralized. In preferred approaches, the decontaminationsolution preferably is loaded with homopiperazine-based catalyst in anamount ranging from about 10 mol % to about 50 mol % with respect to theorganophosphorus-based compound to be neutralized.

Of course, other structures than those shown in FIGS. 4B-4E andmodifications to the structures shown in FIGS. 4B-4E may be employedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosures, with thelimitation that the structures and modifications retain catalyticcapability to neutralize organophosphorus-based compounds. Exemplarymodifications expressly contemplated include addition of a chemicalhandle at the C(6) or C(7) position of the homopiperazine ring with ahydroxymethyl moiety, e.g. as shown in structures 518 and 520, depictedin FIG. 5, as well as modifications arising from using differentintermediate structures, e.g. 1200 and/or 1202 as depicted in FIGS.12A-12B.

Presence of the a chemical handle such as a hydroxymethyl moietyprovides an additional handle to further modify the molecule in order tomodulate its physical properties (e.g. water solubility, lipophilicity,clogP value, surface area, etc. as would be understood by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present descriptions).In addition, due to this additional reactive group, the complexesarising from such scaffolds can be easily and efficiently attached tosurfaces (e.g. glass, metal, Au or Ag nanoparticles, etc. as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading thepresent descriptions) or solid supports (e.g. polystyrene-based resin,controlled pore glass beads, a polymeric or fibrous filter, matrix, etc.as would be employed e.g. in respiratory equipment, etc. as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading thepresent descriptions).

Attachment of these complexes, e.g. to solid supports 606 or surfaces604, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, allows for the development ofmaterials with the capability of capturing and decontaminatingorganophosphorus-based nerve agents. Other functionalities stemming fromthe homopiperazine scaffold can be used as well for these conjugativeapplications such as amines and thiols.

In various approaches, the presently disclosed inventivehomopiperazine-based ligands and catalytic complexes may be employedusing a variety of solvents, buffers, etc. and preferablyenvironmentally friendly solvents, buffers, etc. as would be understoodby a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the presentdescriptions.

Turning now to synthesis, advantageously these ligands can be assembledin 3-4 steps from readily, commercially-available and inexpensivehomopiperazine (also known as 2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepine),and/or modified homopiperazine analogs, such as shown in FIG. 5, invarious embodiments. One of the strongest aspects of this approach isthe fact that a myriad of analogs displaying different chemical,reactive and structural properties can be accomplished using theCu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (“CuAAC” or “clickchemistry”). Complexation of these ligands to different metal ions openstheir application in the areas of organophosphorus-based compounddestruction, carbon capture technologies and in the study oftriazole-based ligand-metal interactions.

The proposed ligands can be synthesized using homopiperazine and analogsthereof as the starting material, including any of the exemplarymodified homopiperazine compounds 502-520 as shown in FIG. 5.Homopiperazine is inexpensive and can be purchased in multi-gramquantities making the production of a compound library an economicallyefficient task. Of course, skilled artisans in the field of syntheticorganic chemistry will appreciate that the modified homopiperazinecompounds 502-520 shown in FIG. 5 are merely exemplary, and should notbe considered limiting on the scope of the presently disclosed inventiveconcepts. Equivalent modified homopiperazine compounds are also to beconsidered within the scope of the present invention, as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading thepresent descriptions.

Turning now to synthesis of homopiperazine-based ligands, according tovarious embodiments a variety of synthetic schemes may be employed, e.g.as illustrated in FIGS. 7-10 and described in further detail below. Theexemplary synthetic schemes depicted and described herein arecharacterized by the presence of an intermediate material that can thenbe used for library production, preferably using Cu(I)-catalyzedazide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (click chemistry) to generatesuitable ligands.

Thus as shown in FIG. 7, according to one embodiment ligand synthesisscheme 700 involves alkylation of homopiperazine 710 with propargylbromide to produce a bis-propargylated intermediate 720. Advantageously,this one step sequence provides an intermediate 720 suitable for libraryproduction using inexpensive materials and high-yield synthesis,contributing to the economic efficiency of the presently disclosedinventive concepts. The intermediate 720 may then be reacted with apanel of organic azides, preferably using click chemistry, to generatesuitable ligands 730, according to one embodiment.

A synthesis scheme 800 for ligand 830 is depicted in FIG. 8, accordingto one embodiment, and involves bis-methoxymethylation of homopiperazineor a modified homopiperazine 810 with formaldehyde and methanol tofacilitate the direct conversion of these species to a bis-azidomethylintermediate 820 using trimethylsilyl azide (JACS 2007, 6080-88).Intermediate 820 is the central target that can be reacted with alibrary of alkyne-based reagents to create a vast library of ligands830, preferably using click chemistry and according to anotherembodiment. Again, this simple and high-yield synthetic process usinginexpensive starting materials contributes to the economic efficiency ofthe presently disclosed inventive concepts.

A point of comparison between the creation of libraries from centralintermediates 720 and 820 lies in ease of construction. Whileintermediate 720 requires azides in order for the library to be built,intermediate 820 requires terminal alkynes to do so, according to theembodiments shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Thus, the latter yields faster, moreelaborate libraries, in part due to the fact that terminal alkynes canbe simply purchased from commercial vendors. The opposite is true forthe library arising from intermediate 720, since the azides must oftenbe synthesized from a respective parent alkyl halide or alcohol via atwo-step process. Accordingly, while each technique represents asubstantial improvement over conventional catalytic approaches toorganophosphorus-based compound catalysis, scheme 800 as depicted inFIG. 8 represents a particularly significant advantage in this regard.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the synthesis scheme 900 of ligand 930 issimilar to that of 430, according to one embodiment. In place ofpropargyl bromide, homopropargyl bromide is reacted with precursor 910.Again, a bis-alkynyl is obtained as an intermediate compound 920 usedfor library construction. Treatment of the intermediate 920 with a panelof azide-containing compounds in the presence of Cu(I) provides alibrary of bis-triazolyl ligands.

Turning to FIG. 10, the synthesis scheme 1000 of ligand 1040 isoutlined, according to one embodiment. The synthesis can be accomplishedusing two preferred pathways. In the upper scheme shown in FIG. 10,alkylation of homopiperazine or a modified homopiperazine 1010 with1-bromo-2-chloroethane is followed by displacement of the bromines togive a bis-azidoethylhomopiperazine intermediate 1020. Reaction of theintermediate 1020 with alkyne bearing compounds in the presence of Cu(I)yields triazole ligands 1040, according to one embodiment.

The second pathway involves the reaction of homopiperazine or a modifiedhomopiperazine 1010 with chloroacetyl chloride followed by NaN₃ to givethe bis-a-azidoacetylamidohomopiperazine intermediate 1030. Reaction ofthe intermediate 1030 with a panel of terminal-alkyne bearing compoundsin the presence of Cu(I), followed by conventional amide reductionyields the desired ligand 1040, according to another embodiment.

Of course, the synthetic pathways shown in FIGS. 7-10 may also includeadditional steps (not shown) such as precursor reactions required togenerate the reactants shown in FIGS. 7-10 using precursor materials.Preferably, the synthesis may be carried out in a simple two-step schemeas shown in FIGS. 7-10, but where starting materials depicted thereinare not readily available they may be separately synthesized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

Following synthesis, ligands 730, 830, 930, and/or 1040 are preferablycomplexed with a metal cation to form catalytic ligand-metal complexes732, 832, 932, and/or 1042, in various embodiments and as shown in FIG.11. Preferably, complexation includes mixing the ligand and a metal saltin equimolar amounts in an appropriate solvent, such as methanol.Notably, after complexation, the ligand-metal complex may be removedfrom solution, and subsequently carry out catalytic activity withoutrelying on organic solvents such as alcohols, caustic agents such asbleach, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc. or otherenvironmentally unfriendly materials as would be understood by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present descriptions.

Rather, the presently disclosed ligand-metal complexes utilizehydrolytic substitution of a hydroxyl moiety (which may be obtained froma water molecule) for the leaving group of the organophosphorus-basedcompound, and therefore may carry out catalysis using onlyenvironmentally friendly materials such as water to facilitate thecatalysis. In various embodiments, humidity of the atmosphere may besufficient to facilitate the ligand-metal complex mediated catalysis.

In multiple embodiments, different sections of the ligand scaffold maybe modified to yield a library of compounds. For instance, in oneembodiment, the alkyne or azide that is used for the reaction with eachone of the key intermediates (boxed central intermediate) in thesynthetic schemes shown in FIGS. 7-10 may be modified. In anotherembodiment, modifications may take the form of a modified homopiperazinestarting material, such as shown in FIG. 5. In yet another embodiment,modifications may be made to add additional R groups to the intermediatestructure, the R groups including hydrocarbon chains, esters, ethers,aromatic groups, etc., such as R₁ and R₂ as shown in FIGS. 12A-12B andas would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art uponreading the present descriptions

One caveat for this type of modification is that it will workstraightforwardly with the bis-alkyne intermediates 720 and 920, due tothe commercial availability of the alkynes used to modify thehomopiperazine ring. In several approaches modifying group is containedin the alkynyl bromide that is used to generate the intermediatestructure 720, 820, 920, 1020 and/or 1030 from the correspondinghomopiperazine or modified homopiperazine starting material. Thestructure of exemplary modified intermediates 1200 and 1202 that can beused for the further expansion of a library are shown in FIGS. 12A-12B,according to one embodiment.

Accordingly, in various approaches the presently disclosed inventiveconcepts may be embodied according to the foregoing descriptiveexamples. In preferred approaches, the homopiperazine-based compoundsmay be embodied as follows.

In one embodiment, a composition of matter includes: ahomopiperazine-based ligand. The homopiperazine-based ligand ispreferably a bis-triazolyl homopiperazine ligand including at least onesp² nitrogen atom and at least one sp3 nitrogen atom, more preferably atleast two sp² nitrogen atoms and at least two sp3 nitrogen atomspositioned within the composition of matter in a location suitable tochelate a metal cation placed in proximity with the homopiperazine-basedligand.

Accordingly, the nitrogen atoms form a central chelating site configuredto chelate a metal cation placed in the chelating site. The chelatingsite preferably has a structure substantially as shown in FIG. 4A, 12Aor 12B, in various approaches. According to the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4A, —R has a structure selected from: —CH₂C—, —CH₂N—; —CH₂CH₂C—;and —CH₂CH₂N—. As shown in FIG. 12A, R₁ has a structure selected fromhydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-propyl, phenyl, an ethyl ester, abutyl ester, and a butyl ether, while R₂ has a structure selected fromhydrogen and methyl. As shown in FIG. 12B, R₁ has a structure selectedfrom hydrogen, methyl and ethyl ether, while R₂ has a structure selectedfrom hydrogen and methyl.

The composition of matter may also include a chemical handle, preferablyon the C(6) carbon of the homopiperazine ring and comprises ahydroxymethyl group. The hydroxymethyl group may be activated with areactive functionalization motif, preferably one or more of: thiol,hydroxyl, —NH—NH₂; and —Si(OR)₃.

In more embodiments, a metal cation is conjugated with thehomopiperazine ligand to facilitate catalysis of organophosphorus-basedcompounds. Accordingly, a water or a hydroxyl moiety is preferablyfunctionalized to the metal cation to facilitate the catalysis. Invarious approaches, the metal cation may be one or more of: Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺,Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ni³⁺.

In still further embodiments, the composition of matter may befunctionalized on a substrate embodied as one or more of a surface and asolid support. The surface is preferably one or more of a planar surfaceand nanoparticles; and the solid support is preferably one or more ofporous beads, a resin, a matrix, and a filter.

In still more embodiments, the presently disclosed inventive conceptsinclude techniques for synthesizing and utilizing the aforementionedhomopiperazine-based ligands. For instance, an exemplary method 1300 offorming homopiperazine-based ligands according to one embodiment isshown in FIG. 13, while an exemplary method 1400 for employinghomopiperazine-based catalysts to neutralize toxicity oforganophosphorus-based compounds is shown in FIG. 14.

In various embodiments, the methods 1300 and 1400 may be practiced usingany suitable materials disclosed herein, and/or proceed according to anysuitable reaction scheme, application technique, etc. each as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading theinstant disclosures. Other equivalent reaction schemes, materials,application techniques, etc. that would be understood by a person havingordinary skill in the art upon reading these disclosures may also beemployed without departing from the scope of the inventive conceptspresented herein.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a method 1300 for forming homopiperazine-basedligands is shown, according to one embodiment. The method 1300 mayemploy any suitable starting materials, e.g. as shown in FIG. 5, anysuitable intermediates, e.g. as shown in FIGS. 7-10 and 12A-12B, andresult in any suitable final material(s), such as shown in FIGS. 4B-4E,and 6A-11, in various approaches. Similarly, method 1300 may proceedaccording to any of the reaction schemes shown in FIGS. 7-10, amongother suitable equivalent schemes as would be understood by a personhaving ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present descriptions.

As shown in FIG. 13 the method includes a single step, reflecting thesimplicity of the presently disclosed synthetic schemes and techniques.Specifically, method 1300 includes operation 1302, in which ahomopiperazine-based compound is reacted with one or more of an azideand a terminal alkyne in the presence of Cu(I) to form a library ofhomopiperazine-based ligands. The homopiperazine-based compound ispreferably one or more of intermediates 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1030, 1200,or 1202 as shown in FIGS. 7-10 and 12A-12B, but any suitableintermediate that would be appreciated by a skilled artisan, e.g. anintermediate characterized by a structure substantially as depicted inFIG. 4A, may be employed without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure, in various embodiments. In more embodiments, the terminalnitrogen depicted in FIG. 4A may be a terminal azide (N₃) or terminalalkyne (≡CH).

Of course, the method 1300 may include additional operations, features,etc. without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Forinstance, in various embodiment the homopiperazine-based compound may besynthesized using one or more of the homopiperazine-based precursorstructures as shown in FIG. 5.

In more approaches, reacting the homopiperazine-based compound with theterminal azide and/or terminal alkyne preferably includesCu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, or “click chemistry.”Utilizing click chemistry advantageously increases the efficiency of thesynthesis process, as well as generating a variety ofhomopiperazine-based compounds with structural variations, permittinginvestigation into relative advantages of various compounds in variousapplications.

In still more approaches, method 1300 may include conjugating thehomopiperazine-based ligands with one or more metal cations. The metalcations are preferably selected for both catalytic activity andaffordability. In various embodiments, the metal cations may be selectedfrom a group consisting of: Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ni³⁺.

In various embodiments, method 1300 may also include functionalizing themetal cation with a hydroxyl moiety, in order to “activate” the catalystfor neutralizing organophosphorus-based compounds. The functionalizationmay be accomplished intentionally via employing particular chemistry, ormay occur naturally due to environmental conditions, e.g. sufficienthumidity, precipitation, submersion in a body of water, etc. as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading theinstant disclosures.

Accordingly, method 1300 may further involve functionalizing thehomopiperazine-based ligands, ligand-metal complexes, functionalizedligand-metal complexes, etc. to a substrate. The substrate, in variousembodiments, may be a surface, a solid support, etc. such as a planarsurface, a three-dimensional surface, nanoparticles, polymers, solid orporous beads (e.g. polymer-based beads, magnetic beads, glass beads,etc.), a resin, a filter, fibers, a matrix, an aerogel, etc. as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading thepresent disclosures. Particularly preferred surfaces/supports includefilters, beads, magnetic nanoparticles, and polymeric fibers.

Turning now to FIG. 14, a method 1400 for neutralizing toxic agents suchas organophosphorus-based nerve agents, pesticides, etc. is shown,according to one embodiment. The neutralization technique involvesoperation 1402, which includes reacting the homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex(es) with toxic agents such asorganophosphorus-based compounds.

In preferred embodiments, the homopiperazine-based ligand-metalcomplex(es) act as catalysts to facilitate substitution of a leavinggroup of the organophosphorus-based compound with a hydroxyl moiety,preferably a hydroxyl moiety conjugated to the metal cation of thehomopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex.

In various embodiments, method 1400 may, of course, include additionalfeatures and/or operations as disclosed herein, and as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading thepresent descriptions. For instance, in various approaches method 1400may include washing a surface or support to which thehomopiperazine-based ligand-metal complexes are functionalized, e.g. tocarry away neutralized agent, re-activate the homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex(es) for subsequent neutralization, etc. as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon reading thepresent disclosures.

In additional embodiments, the reaction may benefit from agitation,stirring, etc., e.g. where the sample to be treated includes a liquidsample or a solid sample submerged in a solution of homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complexes and a suitable solvent/buffer composition.Similarly, where the sample to be treated includes a surface, andparticularly a large surface, the reaction may benefit from applying anexcess of the homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex(es) via sprayinga solution thereof over the surface.

In embodiments where retrieval of the catalysts is desirable, method1400 may include applying a magnetic field to the treated sample,solution, environment, etc. to facilitate recovery ofhomopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex(es) functionalized to magneticbeads. Retrieval may optionally include a step of drying, concentrating(e.g. via centrifugation), washing, etc. the beads and functionalizedhomopiperazine-based catalysts, as well as eluting thehomopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex(es) from the beads using anappropriate solvent. Eluted homopiperazine-based ligand-metalcomplex(es) may be subsequently functionalized to magneticnanoparticles, or other surfaces, supports, etc. for re-use or use in adifferent capacity, e.g. in a filter.

Applications

The presently disclosed inventive concepts, materials, etc. may beadvantageously employed in a broad range of applications, forms, andtechniques to accomplish neutralization of organophosphorus-basedcompounds. The capability to present these materials and techniques in awide variety of forms, e.g. as liquid, functionalized on solid surfaces,functionalized on particulates (especially nanoparticles), as anaerosol, etc. advantageously allow the effective neutralizationtechniques to be implemented in a wide variety of scenarios in which thetoxic organophosphorus-based compounds may be encountered in practice.

For instance, in one approach a body of water may become contaminatedwith organophosphorus-based compounds, in which case the presentlydisclosed inventive materials and techniques may be utilized to treatthe water, e.g. with either the catalyst itself in its free form, or asmixture in the water, e.g. to disinfect using compounds beyond the scopeof the present disclosure, as well as decontaminate the water fromorganophosphorus-based compounds using compounds as disclosed herein.

To facilitate recovery of the homopiperazine-based catalysts, thepresently disclosed materials may be functionalized to a metal surfacelike magnetic beads for example, and subsequently added to acontaminated solution, body of water, etc. such that the magnetic beadscan perform the destruction of the agent present in the water. Uponcompletion of decontamination, it is possible to retrieve the magneticbeads, and thus the bound catalysts, using a magnet. This approachadvantageously avoids contaminating the treated sample, surface,solution, etc. with the homopiperazine-based catalysts, which may beuseful if the homopiperazine-based catalysts themselves are undesirablefor the intended purpose/use of the sample, surface, solution, etc.

Similarly, in various approaches other substrate materials may beemployed, such as glass beads, polymer fibers, matrices, etc. as wouldbe understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon readingthe present descriptions.

In even more approaches, particular metals such as gold for example maybe employed as a substrate material. For instance, gold may beparticularly advantageous as a substrate material where a thiol groupmay be cleaved from the organophosphorus-based compound (or otherwisegenerated in the course of neutralization). Since thiol groups have astrong affinity for gold, using gold as the substrate material mayencourage free thiols to bind/complex with the gold rather thanattempting to complex with the metal cation catalyzing the substitutionreaction. In this manner, inhibitory effects caused by products of theintended catalysis may be mitigated or avoided, in various approaches.

Similarly, from an academic perspective gold or other suitable metalsmay be useful in the context of enabling investigation of the inventivehomopiperazine-based ligands, and their activity, e.g. via Ramanspectroscopy.

In more approaches, the presently disclosed inventivehomopiperazine-based catalysts may be functionalized on armor panels toprovide protection against chemical agent deployment to militarypersonnel, law enforcement, emergency service personnel, etc. as wouldbe understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art upon readingthe present disclosures.

Accordingly, the presently disclosed inventive homopiperazine-basedcatalysts may be embodied as a spray solution, an aerosol, etc. tofacilitate rapid and facile application to contaminated surfaces,samples, etc.

In more approaches, the presently disclosed inventivehomopiperazine-based catalysts may be embedded it into filters.

The inventive concepts disclosed herein have been presented by way ofexample to illustrate the myriad features thereof in a plurality ofillustrative scenarios, embodiments, and/or implementations. It shouldbe appreciated that the concepts generally disclosed are to beconsidered as modular, and may be implemented in any combination,permutation, or synthesis thereof. In addition, any modification,alteration, or equivalent of the presently disclosed features,functions, and concepts that would be appreciated by a person havingordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant descriptions shouldalso be considered within the scope of this disclosure.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of an embodiment of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: neutralizing toxicity ofone or more organophosphorus-based compounds by reacting theorganophosphorus-based compound(s) with a homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, the reactingcomprising substituting a leaving group of the organophosphorus-basedcompound with a hydroxyl moiety conjugated to the homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein ametal cation of the homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex isselected from a group consisting of: Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ni³⁺.4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the neutralizing does notuse any environmentally unfriendly materials.
 5. The method as recitedin claim 4, wherein the environmentally unfriendly materials areselected from the group consisting of: organic solvents, alcohols,caustic agents, bleach, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide. 6.The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex is solvated in aqueous solution and/or water vapor.7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the homopiperazine-basedligand-metal complex is present in the aqueous solution in an amountranging from about 10 mol % to about 50 mol % with respect to an amountof the organophosphorus-based compound(s) to be neutralized.
 8. Themethod as recited in claim 1, comprising spraying an aqueous solution ofthe homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex over a surfacecontaminated with the one or more organophosphorus-based compounds. 9.The method as recited in claim 1, comprising submerging a materialcontaminated with the one or more organophosphorus-based compounds in anaqueous solution of the homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the homopiperazine-based ligand-metalcomplex is provided in the form of an aerosol.
 11. The method of claim1, wherein the homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex isfunctionalized on and/or embedded in: a resin, a filter, a matrix, anaerogel, one or more fibers, and/or porous beads.
 12. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the homopiperazine-based ligand-metalcomplex is conjugated to magnetic beads, and the method comprisingrecovering at least some of the homopiperazine-based ligand-metalcomplex following neutralizing the organophosphorus-based compound(s),wherein the recovering comprises applying a magnetic field to a surfacetreated with the homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a homopiperazine-based ligand of thehomopiperazine-based ligand-metal complex is characterized by astructure selected from the group consisting of:

and wherein each R is a chemical moiety independently selected from thegroup consisting of: hydrogen, an electron donating group, an electronwithdrawing group, and a solubilizing ligand.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the neutralizing comprises a hydrolytic substitution reactionbetween a hydroxyl moiety of the homopiperazine-based ligand-metalcomplex and the organophosphorus-based compound(s).
 15. The method ofclaim 14, the method comprising carrying away free and/or cleavedleaving group(s) of the organophosphorus-based compound.
 16. The methodas recited in claim 1, wherein the homopiperazine-based ligand-metalcomplex is conjugated with water.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16,wherein the conjugated homopiperazine-based ligand-metal complexexhibits a pKa with respect to water in a range from about 6.0 to about10.0.